210 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



sometimes used ; they are less liable to yield or bend, but in most 

 cases are too heavy. 



(b) In castration by the covered operation all the coverings of the 

 testicle outside the tunica vaginalis retlexa (or tunica vaginalis scroti) 



are carefull}/ divided, 

 and afterwards stripped 

 from the testis and cord 

 as high as may be re- 

 quired. The clam is 

 applied to the cord 

 above the epididymis 

 and over the external or 

 parietal vaginal cover- 



FiG. 241. — Screw instrument for closing wooden clams. ^^S' 3-nCl IS lastened aS 



above described. The 

 testicle and lower end of the vaginal sheath are removed with scissors ; 

 the clams are left in position for twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and 

 in cases of hernia it is advisable not to remove them until the third to 

 fifth day after operation. 



I. Castration of Stallions. 



For reasons already given the second 3'ear of life is that usually 

 selected for operation, as it appears the most generally suitable 

 period, and the animal probably suffers less pain than it would at 

 a later period. In this country, however, many animals are castrated 

 during the first year. Stallions of any age can be castrated without 

 danger, provided no disease of the organs of generation exist, and 

 the ordinary rules of antisepsis are observed. 



Before operation the scrotum is examined, to detect the existence 

 of rupture, and note is taken of the strength of the spermatic cord, and 

 width of the inguinal ring. 



Foals are best kept without food on the morning of the day of 

 castration ; older, more excitable, and more powerful animals should 

 have been kept on short diet for some days before, or have been 

 regularly worked. Some authorities condemn restricting the diet of 

 animals before operation, because it favours prolapse of omentum, or 

 bowel, and castrate yearlings without any such preparation. Such 

 points are probably of little importance, though it cannot be denied 

 that the small bowel is less likely to pass the inner abdominal ring 

 and the inguinal canal when full than when empty. Racehorses 



